A cost effective Web Relay control

Mike-VA3MW

I wanted to share a 4 port cost effective Web Relay Switch.  This is a subset of the one I use on my remote base (I use 16 relays).  While there are many other way, I like this software as it allows me to start to build out the RemoteQTH server as you build up your station.

This is a picture of my test setup.  When done, all you need is the power cord, the network cable and any devices you wish to turn on or off to be wired in.



Regarding the Remote RCA connector:

This RCA connector is provided for remote power-on functionality. When the RemotePower ON feature is enabled, shorting this input to ground will activate the radio - openingthis connector will disable power on the radio. Refer to the SmartSDR documentation forinformation on how to configure this input. (Note: 3.3VDC Max Input.)

The parts required are:

• Raspberry PI with power supply and SD card
• An RCA cable to plug into the back of your 6000 series (you can cut up an old Stereo cable off the HiFi ).
• 4 Relay Shield KS0212 from http://www.keyestudio.com/keyestudio-rpi-4-channel-relay-shield.html
• Software from RemoteQTH and their RemoteQTH Server

The quick cookbook is:

1. Order the RPI if you don't have one already
2. Order the KS0212 for $8.99 
3. Find and RCA cable that has the RCA connector on one end to plug into the radio and bare wires on the other end to wire up to the KS0212
4. Build the RPI server by downloading the image from RemotQTH and booting your RPI (directions are on their website on how to build and image and get up and running.  Their image is a complete Raspian install.
5. Login into their control panel and you want to configure their relays numbered 1, 5, 17 and 24.  This will be relay 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the KS0212 that you have plugged into the RPI.

You want to wire the 2 wires from the RCA connector to the Normally Open contacts so that when you turn the Relay ON, the 2 wires are shorted and the 6000 radio will come out of standby mode.

After that, let's assume you want to add some control for AC Power devices.  I found this on Amazon which is the least expensive power switch I could find, called the IoT Relay for less than $30 each.



Once you have all that wired up, this is the One of the Web Views you can get and it works well from a Mobile Device:




There are many other ways to get this done, but this one is one of my favourites and does not require any wire wrapping, soldering on special jumpers.

Mike va3mw

kr4k

Excellent post. Thanks. You are paying a lot less than the ones I use.

I control the 6700 RELAY ON connection and also use three of the IoT Relays for other gear. They are excellent for 120 VAC switching.

I have been using these two remote relays, which are more pricey:
Webswitch 1216H  http://www.remoterig.com/wp/?page_id=166
RelayPros Web Relay 4-Channel 20-Amp ProXRZADR420PROXR_WEB-I  http://relaypros.com/Relay/Device/ZADR420PROXR_WEB-I
RelayPros RS232 Controller 4-Channel 10-Amp ProXR LiteR410PL_ZRS http://relaypros.com/Relay/Device/R410PL_ZRS

If anyone is interested in the RelayPro versions, I have MATLAB classdefs to control them. MATLAB has an inexpensive home edition for $149. I use it extensively in my amateur radio projects.

73/gus

Mike-VA3MW

I had a bunch ask me about this during Dayton, so I just wanted to bump this up.  I used this to replace my remoterig equipment as it was more cost effective.

Mike-VA3MW

For those experimenters, I just found this on Banggood that might be worth trying.  It is a web based switch that you can use to soft power off your 6000 series radio.

https://www.banggood.com/ESP8266-5V-WiFi-Relay-Module-Internet-Of-Things-Smart-Home-Phone-APP-Remote...



They even have a dual relay one

https://www.banggood.com/5V-ESP8266-Dual-WiFi-Relay-Module-Internet-Of-Things-Smart-Home-Mobile-APP-...


Mike

Ken - VE5KC

Check these out on Amazon:

WiFi Smart Power ****

- cheap - around $30.00
- 4  Individually remote switched AC Outlet
- 4 USB Outlets - remotely switched together

There are much more expensive versions but likely use the same internal parts..

Working fine.. I'm using an Android App for control
.
US

https://www.amazon.com/Conico-Protector-Outlets-Compatible-Controlled/dp/B074SFQDN5/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1527752246&sr=8-3&keywords=WiFi+Smart+Power+****+Surge+Protector

Canada

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B079X2CRK9/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Paul - K6HR

Need a Web Relay? Take a look at www.controlbyweb.com Highly recommended! I bought mine used on eBay.

Mike-VA3MW

The KMTronics ones are of great value as well.  I have used this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KMTronic-LAN-Ethernet-IP-8-channels-Relay-board-WEB-BOX/281238587151?hash=i...

Mike va3mw

Clay N9IO

Hey Michael do you check the panafall to see if these devices emit RF? I imagine yes but thought I would ask.

Mike-VA3MW

I did and I didn't hear the KMTronics one.  They will also work directly with PSTRotatorAZ.

Kevin - K4KWB

Anyone come up with a coax relay , that is reasonable to remotely turn them on and off, to protect from lightning ?

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Kevin

Most coax relays will work with web switches.  If you are searching on eBay, DowKey is the gold standard.   This one looks cool  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Remote-Controled-Android-OS-MS-S4-WiFi-smart-ANTENNA-COAXIAL-SWITCH-2-KW-PE...

Of course we also have our great line by 4O3A will do the same.  Much better quality.

Mike

Dan Scukanec

Mike,

You might want to update your post to specify that the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is NOT supported by the remote QTH server software download.

Dan

Mike-VA3MW

I see that, but I will leave that message for Dan's team to get out.  

Dan Scukanec

Mike,

I am a total newbie when it comes to Raspberry PI.  I got the remote QTH disk image successfully written to the micro SD card.  When the Pi boots all I get is Linux commands ending in a login prompt.

when I try my callsign with the default password of 1234 all I get is incorrect login prompt.

I am stumped.


Anything you can help with on this?

Thanks,

Dan

Wim

I use the Insteon home automation switches. They have an app that allows remote control and
can automate lights in your house .

This is their relay switch that can directly interface with the RCA plug on the flex

https://www.insteon.com/io-module/

You do need one Hub in your house but all the command and control is done over the
electric household 110V wiring

https://www.insteon.com/insteon-hub/

 

Kevin - K4KWB

The first time you go to the IP address and log in with “yourcall” then password “1234”. Once you do that, then you go in and change the user name and put your callsign or what ever you want then a new password.

Alan Cerniglia

Michael, I have some curious ( maybe far fetched ) questions ... LOL    Currently I'm using the Denkovi 8 relay USB unit hooked to an Ameritron RCS-10 Antenna switch.( cheap route )  I also use the c232hm-edhsl-0 for the Amp to track the radio band BCD data.   Do you see in near future that Flex may bring out such a simple PCB as Denkovi, & have like 16 relays, 8 for Antenna switching & the other 8 for like Amp AC pwr control ..  etc... I suppose the PCB would also have to have Network connection to Turn on the Flex radio First... Not sure if this has any feasibility or not.... Your thoughts on the ideal all-in-one unit ......OH... I forgot to ask...  Is the RemoteQth  link for security or ??

Mike-VA3MW

Hi

At the moment, I don't see it on the radar.  That is why we did provide the BCD data port that works well with the Denkovi as you have found out.  

Can you  rephrase your RemoteQTH question?  I am not sure what you are asking.

Russ K5OA

WEB RELAY QUAD: Added a new Remote PTT using one of the WebRelay Quad ports and now can register my Flex remotely. Using others three ports for Flex Remote on, 220 power to SPE 2K-FA amp via HD relay and SPE Amp on. Realy neat and complete remote relay package.  
Great little unit.  73 Russ K5OA

mikeatthebeach .

Running SPE from 220VAC - What HD relay did you use
73 Mike

Russ K5OA

YC-GP-DPDT-6D YuCo Power Relay 12V DC Coil 50Amp 2 Pole DPDT Heavy-Duty

Got from Amazon put in 6 inch by 6 inch plastic electrical box and made up  short power cord with 5-20 proper plug for my 220-230 volt outlet with # 8 wire to power panel.

So I use one relay  to turn on this relay with 12 volt coil, , one to turn on amp with 12 volts to remote on,  one to turn  remote on ground to Flex and had the spare now used to give me remote PTT so I can re-register my unit if needed.  Had help VE2WU and lost my unit in Smartlink but SmartCat worked and it is 85 miles away!

Most at local electrial supply will work but hard to find the 12 volt dc coil.

Hope it helps Mike. 

73, Russ K5OA

Sergey R5AU

I am not using an relay boards but RemoteQTH SW with solid-state relays drived via opto-transistors

Frank Kirschner

Here's one that's directly controllable with USB. It has eight SPDT relays, comes with free software, doesn't require the Raspberry Pi, and costs less than $18.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DYNVB38/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

All it needs is a 5 V power supply and a USB connection to a Win 7 computer. The app only only works on Win 7, but you can address it through programming under Win 8.1 or 10.

Mike-VA3MW

Another solution https://www.amazon.ca/Sonoff-4CH-Pro-Self-Locking-Compatible/dp/B072M4CRD9/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qi...

Mike-VA3MW

Moving this to the SmartLink conversation

johna8119

This thread has been interesting reading--using the now unavailable USB Knacro 8-relay bank, I built a little enclosure that is set to open the Remote On switch, to open the 12v power supply to my 6400, and to open the 240v line to my amplifier.  I can also close the PTT line on the 6400.  It doesn't look like there is any RF emanating from the aluminum enclosure, at least in the HF bands.  The device is controlled by an executable file running under Win 10.

Chip Swett

I have been using an IP Power Switch 9258 (http://www.aviosys.com/9258.html) to remotely power devices at my remote base in Maine including Flex.  It has worked great, except when it doesn't. Currently, it is offline.  When this happens, I have to wait for a power failure after which it normally comes back online (not unusual in rural Maine).   Obviously, I will be looking to put in a more reliable system once the snow melts.  The ideas presented here will be a big help.

John - K3MA

IF you have not done so you might look to see if setting up the ping function to reboot will fix your issue.

Steve - AK0M

I am new to Raspberry Pi as well, and setting this remote control arrangement up for the first time, using the KS0212 relay board. I'd like to package this... any suggestions for selecting an appropriate case (RPi 3)?
Got my new 6400 and SmartLink running yesterday... excited to get all this going!
Steve AK0M

Mike-VA3MW

Hi Steve

I was not able to find a commercial case that will fit this arrangement.   But, if someone finds one, that would be awesome.

Mike

Larry Benoit

Hi Chip,

I've used a pair of Digital Loggers Inc. (DLI) Web Power Switches (version 4 and 7) for years and neither has ever been inaccessible -- not once.  An accessory AC Relay adds additional flexibility for controlling equipment, such as the remote on function for your Flex radio. There have been many positive posts on this community in regarding DLI products, including one in this thread.  

https://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html
http://www.digital-loggers.com/ac.html


73,
Larry KB1VFU